CONTENTS
COLONELSTARBOTTLE’SCLIENT
THEPOSTMISTRESSOFLAURELRUN
ANIGHTAT\"HAYS\"
JOHNSON’S\"OLDWOMAN\"
THENEWASSISTANTATPINECLEARINGSCHOOL
INAPIONEERRESTAURANT
ATREASUREOFTHEGALLEON
OUTOFAPIONEER’STRUNK
THEGHOSTSOFSTUKELEYCASTLE
COLONELSTARBOTTLE’SCLIENT。
CHAPTERI。
Itmayberememberedthatitwasthehabitofthatgallant\"war-
horse\"oftheCalaverasdemocracy，ColonelStarbottle，atthecloseofapoliticalcampaign，toreturntohisoriginalprofessionoftheLaw。Perhapsitcouldnotbecalledapeacefulretirement。
Thesamefiery-tonguedeloquenceandfull-breastedchivalrywhichhadinturnsthrilledandoverawedfreemenatthepollswerenolessfervidandembattledbeforeajury。YettheColonelwascounselfortwoorthreepastoralDitchcompaniesandcertainbucoliccorporations，andalthoughhemanagedtoimportintothesimplestquestionofcontractmoreorlessabuseofopposingcounsel，andoccasionallymingledprecedentsoflawwithantecedentsofhisadversary，hislegalvictorieswereseldomcomplicatedbybloodshed。Hewasonlyonceshotatbyafree-handedjudge，andtwiceassaultedbyanover-sensitivelitigant。Nevertheless，itwasthoughtmerelyprudent，whilepreparingthepapersinthewellknowncaseof\"TheArcadianShepherds’AssociationofTuolumneversustheKedronVineandFigTreeGrowersofCalaveras，\"thattheColonelshouldseekwithashotguntheseclusionofhispartner’slawofficeinthesylvanoutskirtsofRoughandReadyforthatcompleterestandseriouspreoccupationwhichMarysvillecouldnotafford。
Itwasanexceptionallyhotday。Thepaintedshinglesoftheplainwoodenone-storiedbuildinginwhichtheColonelsatwerewarpedandblisteringinthedirectraysofthefierce，untemperedsun。
Thetinsignbearingthedazzlinglegend，\"StarbottleandBungstarter，AttorneysandCounselors，\"glowedwithaninsufferablelight；thetwopine-treesstillleftintheclearingaroundthehouse，ineffectiveasshade，seemedonlytohaveabsorbedtheday-
longheatthrougheveryscorchedandcrisptwigandfibre，toradiateitagainwiththepungentsmellofaslowlysmoulderingfire；theairwasmotionlessyetvibratinginthesunlight；ondistantshallowsthehalf-driedriverwasflashingandintolerable。
Seatedinawoodenarmchairbeforeatablecoveredwithbooksandpapers，yetwiththatapparentlyhaughtyattitudetowardsitaffectedbygentlemenofabdominalfullness，ColonelStarbottlesupportedhimselfwithonehandgraspingthearmofhischairandtheothervigorouslyplyingahugepalm-leaffan。Hewasperspiringfreely。Hehadtakenoffhischaracteristicbluefrock-coat，waistcoat，cravat，andcollar，and，strippedonlytohisruffledshirtandwhitedrilltrousers，presentedtheappearancefromtheoppositesideofthetableofhavinghastilyrisentoworkinhisnightgown。Aglasswithathinsedimentofsugarandlemon-peelremaininginitstoodnearhiselbow。Suddenlyablackshadowfellonthestaring，uncarpetedhall。Itwasthatofastrangerwhohadjustenteredfromthenoiselessdustofthedesertedroad。TheColonelcastarapidglanceathissword-cane，whichlayonthetable。
Butthestranger，althoughsallowandmorose-looking，wasevidentlyofpacificintent。Hepausedonthethresholdinakindofsurlyembarrassment。
\"IreckonthisisColonelStarbottle，\"hesaidatlast，glancinggloomilyroundhim，asiftheinterviewwasnotentirelyofhisownseeking。\"Well，I’veseenyouoftenenough，thoughyoudon’tknowme。Myname’sJoCorbin。Iguess，\"headded，stilldiscontentedly，\"Ihavetoconsultyouaboutsomething。\"
\"Corbin？\"repeatedtheColonelinhisjauntiestmanner。\"Ah！AnyrelationtooldMajeCorbinofNashville，sir？\"
\"No，\"saidthestrangerbriefly。\"I’mfromShelbyville。\"
\"TheMajor，\"continuedtheColonel，halfclosinghiseyesasiftofollowtheMajorintothedreamypast，\"theoldMajor，sir，amatteroffiveorsixyearsago，wasoneofmymostintimatepoliticalfriends，——infact，sir，mymostintimatefriend。Takeachyar！\"
Butthestrangerhadalreadytakenone，andduringtheColonel’sreminiscencehadleanedforward，withhiseyesontheground，discontentedlyswinginghissofthatbetweenhislegs。\"DidyouknowTomFrisbee，ofYolo？\"heaskedabruptly。
\"Er——no。\"
\"NorevenheardanythingaboutFrisbee，norwhathappenedtohim？\"
continuedtheman，withaggrievedmelancholy。
InpointoffacttheColoneldidnotthinkthathehad。
\"NoranythingabouthisbeingkilledoveratFresno？\"saidthestranger，withadespondingimplicationthattheinterviewafterallwasafailure。
\"If——er——ifyoucould——er——givemeahintortwo，\"suggestedtheColonelblandly。
\"Therewasn’tmuch，\"saidthestranger，\"ifyoudon’tremember。\"
Hepaused，thenrising，hegloomilydraggedhischairslowlybesidethetable，andtakingupapaperweightexamineditwithheavydissatisfaction。\"Yousee，\"hewentonslowly，\"Ikilledhim——itwasaquo’ll。Hewasmypardner，butIreckonhemusthavedrovemehard。Yes，sir，\"headdedwithaggrievedreflection，\"Ireckonhedrovemehard。\"
TheColonelsmiledcourteously，slightlyexpandinghischestunderthehomicidalrelation，asif，havingtakenitinandmadeitapartofhimself，hewasready，ifnecessary，tobecomepersonallyresponsibleforit。Thenliftinghisemptyglasstothelight，helookedatitwithhalfclosedeyes，inpoliteimitationofhiscompanion’sexaminationofthepaper-weight，andsetitdownagain。
Acasualspectatorfromthewindowmighthaveimaginedthatthetwowereengagedinanamicableinventoryofthefurniture。
\"Andthe——er——actualcircumstances？\"askedtheColonel。
\"Oh，itwasfairenoughfight。THEY’LLtellyouthat。AndsowouldHE，Ireckon——ifhecould。Hewasuglyandbedev’lin’，butI
didn’tcaretoquo’ll，andgivehimthego-byallthetime。Hekepton，followedmeoutoftheshanty，drew，andfiredtwice。
I\"——hestoppedandregardedhishatamomentasifitwasacorroboratingwitness——\"I——Iclosedwithhim——Ihadto——itwasmyonlychance，andthatendedit——andwithhisownrevolver。Ineverdrewmine。\"
\"Isee，\"saidtheColonel，nodding，\"clearlyjustifiableandhonorableasregardsthecode。Andyouwishmetodefendyou？\"
Thestranger’sgloomyexpressionofastonishmentnowturnedtoblankhopelessness。
\"Iknewyoudidn’tunderstand，\"hesaid，despairingly。\"Why，allTHATwasTWOYEARSAGO。It’sallsettledanddoneandgone。Thejuryfoundformeattheinquest。Itain’tTHATIwanttoseeyouabout。It’ssomethingarisingoutofit。\"
\"Ah，\"saidtheColonel，affably，\"avendetta，perhaps。Somefriendorrelationofhistakenupthequarrel？\"
ThestrangerlookedabstractedlyatStarbottle。\"Youthinkarelationmight；orwouldfeelinthatsortofway？\"
\"Why，blankitall，sir，\"saidtheColonel，\"nothingismorecommon。Why，in’52oneofmyoldestfriends，DoctorByrne，ofSt。
Jo，theseventhinalinefromoldGeneralByrne，ofSt。Louis，waskilled，sir，byPinkeyRiggs，seventhinalinefromSenatorRiggs，ofKentucky。Originalcause，sir，somethingaboutad————droastingear，orablankpersimmonin1832；forty-sevenmenwipedoutintwentyyears。Fact，sir。\"
\"Itain’tthat，\"saidthestranger，movinghesitatinglyinhischair。\"IfitwasanythingofthatsortIwouldn’tmind，——itmightbringmatterstoawind-up，andIshouldn’thavetocomehereandhavethiscursedtalkwithyou。\"
Itwassoevidentthatthisfrankandunaffectedexpressionofsomeobscuredisgustwithhisownpresentpositionhadnootherimplication，thattheColoneldidnotexcepttoit。Yetthemandidnotgoon。Hestoppedandseemedlostinsombrecontemplationofhishat。
TheColonelleanedbackinhischair，fannedhimselfelegantly，wipedhisforeheadwithalargepongeehandkerchief，andlookingathiscompanion，whoseshadowedabstractionseemedtorenderhimimpervioustotheheat，said：——
\"MydearMr。Corbin，Iperfectlyunderstandyou。Blankitall，sir，thetemperatureinthisinfernalholeisquiteenoughtorenderanyconfidentialconversationbetweengentlemenupondelicatemattersutterlyimpossible。It’salmostasnearHades，sir，astheymakeit，——asItrustyouandI，Mr。Corbin，willeverexperience。Ipropose，\"continuedtheColonel，withairygeniality，\"somelightchangeandrefreshment。Thebar-keeperoftheMagnoliais——er——Imaysay，sir，facileprincepsintheconcoctionofmintjuleps，andthereisabackroomwhereIhaveoccasionallyconferredwithpoliticalleadersatelectiontime。Itisbutastep，sir——infact，onMainStreet——roundthecorner。\"
ThestrangerlookedupandthenrosemechanicallyastheColonelresumedhiscoatandwaistcoat，butnothiscollarandcravat，whichlaylimpanddejectedamonghispapers。Then，shelteringhimselfbeneathalarge-brimmedPanamahat，andhookinghiscaneonhisarm，heledtheway，faninhand，intotheroad，tiptoeinginhistight，polishedbootsthroughthered，impalpabledustwithhisusualjauntymanner，yetnotwithoutaprofanesuggestionofburningploughshares。Thestrangerstrodeinsilencebyhissideintheburningsun，impenetrableinhisownmoroseshadow。
ButtheMagnoliawasfragrant，likeitsnamesake，withmintandherbalodors，coolwithsprinkledfloors，andsparklingwithbrokeniceonitscounters，likedewdropsonwhite，unfoldedpetals——andslightlysoporificwiththesubduedmurmurofdroningloungers，whowereheavywithitssweets。ThegallantColonelnoddedwithconfidentialaffabilitytothespotless-shirtedbar-keeper，andthentakingCorbinbythearmfraternallyconductedhimintoasmallapartmentintherearofthebar-room。Itwasevidentlyusedastheofficeoftheproprietor，andcontainedaplaindesk，table，andchairs。Attherearwindow，Nature，notentirelyevicted，lookedinwithafewstragglingbuckeyesandadustymyrtle，overthebodyofalately-felledpine-tree，thatflauntedfromanupflungbranchastillgreensprayasifitwereadroopingbannerliftedbyadeadbutrigidarm。Fromtheadjoiningroomthefaint，monotonousclickofbilliardballs，languidlyplayed，cameatintervalslikethedrynotesofcicaleinthebushes。
Thebar-keeperbroughttwoglassescrownedwithmintanddiademedwithbrokenice。TheColoneltookalongpullathisportion，andleanedbackinhischairwithablandgulpofsatisfactionanddreamilypatienteyes。Thestrangermechanicallysippedthecontentsofhisglass，andthen，withouthavingalteredhisreluctantexpression，drewfromhisbreast-pocketanumberofoldletters。Holdingthemdisplayedinhisfingerslikeadifficulthandofcards，andwithsomethingoftheairofadispiritedplayer，hebegan：——
\"Yousee，aboutsixmonthsafterthisyertroubleIgotthisletter。\"Hepickedoutawellworn，badlywrittenmissive，andputitintoColonelStarbottle’shands，risingatthesametimeandleaningoverhimasheread。\"Yousee，shethatwrititsaysashowshehadn’theardfromhersonforalongtime，butowingtohishavingspokenonceaboutME，shewasemboldenedtowriteandaskmeifIknewwhathadgoneofhim。\"Hewaspointinghisfingerateachlineoftheletterashereadit，orratherseemedtotranslateitfrommemorywithasadfamiliarity。\"Now，\"hecontinuedinparenthesis，\"youseethiskindo’gotme。IknewhehadgotrelativesinKentucky。Iknewthatallthistroublehadbeenputinthepaperwithhisnameandmine，butthisherenameofMarthaJeffcourtatthebottomdidn’tseemtojibewithit。ThenI
rememberedthathehadleftalotoflettersinhistrunkintheshanty，andIlooked’emover。AndIfoundthathisnameWASTomJeffcourt，andthathe’dbeenpassin’underthenameofFrisbeeallthistime。\"
\"Perfectlynaturalandafrequentoccurrence，\"interposedtheColonelcheerfully。\"OnlylastyearImetanoldfriendwhomwe’llcallStidger，ofNewOrleans，attheUnionClub，’Frisco。’Howareyou，Stidger？’Isaid；’Ihaven’tseenyousinceweusedtomeet——
drivingovertheShellRoadin’53。’’Excuseme，sir，’saidhe，’mynameisnotStidger，it’sBrown。’Ilookedhimintheeye，sir，andsawhimquiver。’ThenImustapologizetoStidger，’I
said，’forsupposinghimcapableofchanginghisname。’Hecametomeanhourafter，allinatremble。’ForGod’ssake，Star，’hesaid，——alwayscalledmeStar，——’don’tgobackonme，butyouknowfamilyaffairs——anotherwoman，beautifulcreature，’etc。，etc。，——
yes，sir，perfectlycommon，butablankmistake。Whenamanoncefunkshisownnamehe’llturntailonanything。Sorryforthisman，Friezecoat，orTurncoat，orwhatever’shisd————dname；butit’sso。\"
Thesuggestiondidnot，however，seemtoraisethestranger’sspiritsoralterhismanner。\"HisnamewasJeffcourt，andthisherewashismother，\"hewentondrearily；\"andyouseehereshesays\"——pointingtotheletteragain——\"she’sbeenexpectingmoneyfromhimanditdon’tcome，andshe’smightyhardup。Andthatgavemeanidea。Idon’tknow，\"hewenton，regardingtheColonelwithgloomydoubt，\"asyou’llthinkitwasmuch；Idon’tknowasyouwouldn’tcallitad————dfoolidea，butIgotitallthesame。\"Hestopped，hesitated，andwenton。\"Youseethisman，FrisbeeorJeffcourt，wasmypardner。Weweregoodfriendsuptothekilling，andthenhedrovemehard。IthinkItoldyouhedrovemehard，——didn’tI？Well，hedid。ButtheideaIgotwasthis。Considerin’Ikilledhimafterall，andsotospeakdisappointedthem，IreckonedI’dtakeuponmyselfthecareofthatfamilyandsend’emmoneyeverymonth。\"
TheColonelslightlystraitenedhisclean-shavenmouth。\"Akindofexpiationoramercementbyfine，knowntotheMosaic，Roman，andoldEnglishlaw。Gad，sir，theJewsmighthavemadeyouMARRYhiswidoworsister。Anoldcustom，andIthinksuperseded——sir，properlysuperseded——bythealternativeofordealbybattleinthemediaevaltimes。Idon’tmyselffancythesepecuniaryfashionsofsettlingwrongs，——butgoon。\"
\"Iwroteher，\"continuedCorbin，\"thathersonwasdead，butthatheandmehadsomeintereststogetherinaclaim，andthatIwasverygladtoknowwheretosendherwhatwouldbehisshareeverymonth。IthoughtitnousetotellherIkilledhim，——maybeshemightrefusetotakeit。Isentherahundreddollarseverymonthsince。Sometimesit’sbeenprettyhardsleddin’todoit，forI
ain’trich；sometimesI’vehadtoborrowthemoney，butIreckonedthatIwasonlypayingformyshareinthisherebusinessofhisbein’dead，andIdidit。\"
\"AndIunderstandyouthatthisJeffcourtreallyhadnointerestinyourclaim？\"
Corbinlookedathimindullastonishment。\"Notacent，ofcourse；
IthoughtItoldyouthat。Butthatweren’thisfault，forheneverhadanything，andowedmemoney。Infact，\"headdedgloomily，\"itwasbecauseIhadn’tanymoretogivehim——havin’
soldmywatchforgrub——thathequo’lledwithmethatday，andupandcalledmea’sneakin’Yankeehound。’Itoldyouhedrovemehard。\"
TheColonelcoughedslightlyandresumedhisjauntymanner。\"Andthe——er——motherwas，ofcourse，gratefulandsatisfied？\"
\"Well，no，——notexactly。\"Hestoppedagainandtookuphislettersoncemore，sortedandarrangedthemasiftoplayouthisunfinishedbuthopelesshand，anddrawingoutanother，laiditbeforetheColonel。\"Yousee，thisMrs。Jeffcourt，afteratime，reckonedsheoughttohaveMOREmoneythanIsenther，andwrotesayingthatshehadalwaysunderstoodfromherson（hethatneverwrotebutonceayear，remember）thatthisclaimofours（thatsheneverknewof，youknow）waspayingmuchmorethanIsenther——andshewantedareturnofaccountsandpapers，orshe’dwritetosomelawyer，mightyquick。Well，Ireckonedthatallthiswasnaturallyinthelineofmytrouble，andIDIDmanagetoscrapetogetherfiftydollarsmorefortwomonthsandsentit。Butthatdidn’tseemtosatisfyher——asyousee。\"HedealtColonelStarbottleanotherletterfromhisbalefulhandwithanunchangedface。\"WhenIgotthat，——well，Ijustupandtoldherthewholething。Isenthertheaccountofthefightfromthenewspapers，andtoldherashowhersonwastheFrisbeethatwasmypardner，andhowheneverhadacentintheworld——buthowI’dgotthatideatohelpher，andwaswillingtocarryitoutaslongasIcould。\"
\"Didyoukeepacopyofthatletter？\"askedtheColonel，straiteninghismask-likemouth。
\"No，\"saidCorbinmoodily。\"Whatwasthegood？Iknow’dshe’dgottheletter，——andshedid，——forthatiswhatshewroteback。\"HelaidanotherletterbeforetheColonel，whohastilyreadafewlinesandthenbroughthisfatwhitehandviolentlyonthedesk。
\"Why，d——nitall，sir，thisisBLACKMAIL！AsinfamousacaseofthreateningandchantageasIeverheardof。\"
\"Well，\"saidCorbin，dejectedly，\"Idon’tknow。YouseesheallowsthatImurderedFrisbeetogetholdofhisclaim，andthatI’mtryingtobuyheroff，andthatifIdon’tcomedownwithtwentythousanddollarsonthenail，andnotesfortherest，she’llprosecuteme。Well，mebbethethinglookstoherlikethat——mebbeyouknowI’vegottoshoulderthattoo。Perhapsit’sallinthesameline。\"
ColonelStarbottleforamomentregardedCorbincritically。Inspiteofhischivalrousattitudetowardsthehomicidalfaculty，theColonelwasnotoptimisticinregardtothebaserpecuniaryinterestsofhisfellow-man。Itwasquiteonthecardsthathiscompanionmighthavemurderedhispartnertogetpossessionoftheclaim。ItwastruethatCorbinhadvoluntarilyassumedanunrecordedandhithertounknownresponsibilitythathadneverbeenevensuspected，andwasvirtuallyself-imposed。Butthatmighthavebeentheusualoneunerringblunderofcriminalsagacityandforethought。Itwasequallytruethathedidnotlookoractlikeameanmurderer；butthatwasnothing。However，therewasnoevidenceofthesereflectionsintheColonel’sface。Ratherhesuddenlybeamedwithanexcessofpoliteness。\"Wouldyou——er——
mind，Mr。Corbin，whilstIamgoingoverthoselettersagain，to——
er——stepacrosstomyoffice——and——er——bringmethecopyof’Wood’sDigest’thatliesonmytable？Itwillsavesometime。\"
Thestrangerrose，asiftheservicewaspartofhisself-imposedtrouble，andasequallyhopelesswiththerest，andtakinghishatdepartedtoexecutethecommission。AssoonashehadleftthebuildingColonelStarbottleopenedthedoorandmysteriouslybeckonedthebar-keeperwithin。
\"DoyourememberanythingofthekillingofamannamedFrisbeeoverinFresnothreeyearsago？\"
Thebar-keeperwhistledmeditatively。\"Threeyearsago——Frisbee？——
Fresno？——no？Yes——butthatwasonlyoneofhisnames。HewasJackWalkeroverhere。Yes——andbyJove！thatfellerthatwasherewithyoukilledhim。Darnmyskin，butIthoughtIrecognizedhim。\"
\"Yes，yes，Iknowallthat，\"saidtheColonel，impatiently。\"ButdidFrisbeehaveanyPROPERTY？Didhehaveanymeansofhisown？\"
\"Property？\"echoedthebar-keeperwithscornfulincredulity。
\"Property？Means？Theonlypropertyandmeansheeverhadwasthefreelunchesordrinkshetookinatsomebodyelse’sexpense。Why，theonlychanceheeverhadofearningasquaremealwaswhenthatfellowthatwaswithyoujustnowtookhimupandmadehimhispartner。AndtheonlywayHEcouldgetridofhimwastokillhim！
AndIdidn’tthinkhehaditinhim。Ratheraqueerkindo’chap，——
gooddealofhayseedabouthim。Showedupattheinquestsoglumandorkerdthatiftheboyshadn’tmadeuptheirmindsthisyerFrisbeeORTERBEENkilled——itmighthavegonehardwithhim。\"
\"Mr。Corbin，\"saidColonelStarbottle，withapainedbutunmistakablehauteurandasingularelevationofhisshirtfrill，asifithadbecomeofitsownaccorderectile，\"Mr。Corbin——er——
er——isthedistantrelativeofoldMajorCorbin，ofNashville——er——
oneofmyoldestpoliticalfriends。WhenMr。Corbin——er——returns，youcanconducthimtome。And，ifyouplease，replenishtheglasses。\"
Whenthebar-keeperrespectfullyshowedMr。Corbinand\"Wood’sDigest\"intotheroomagain，theColonelwasstillbeamingandapologetic。
\"Athousandthanks，sir，butexcepttoSHOWyouthelawifyourequireit——hardlynecessary。Ihave——er——glancedoverthewoman’slettersagain；itwouldbebetter，perhaps，ifyouhadkeptcopiesofyourown——butstillthesetellthewholestoryandYOUROWN。
Theclaimispreposterous！Youhavesimplytodropthewholething。Stopyourremittances，stopyourcorrespondence，——paynoheedtoanyfurtherlettersandwaitresults。Youneedfearnothingfurther，sir；Istakemyprofessionalreputationonit。\"
ThegloomofthestrangerseemedonlytoincreaseastheColonelreachedhistriumphantconclusion。
\"Ireckonedyou’dsaythat，\"hesaidslowly，\"butitwon’tdo。I
shallgoonpayingasfarasIcan。It’smytroubleandI’llseeitthrough。\"
\"But，mydearsir，consider，\"gaspedtheColonel。\"Youareinthehandsofaninfamousharpy，whoisusingherson’sbloodtoextractmoneyfromyou。Youhavealreadypaidadozentimesmorethanthelifeofthatd————dsneakwasworth；andmorethanthat——thelongeryoukeeponpayingyouarehelpingtogivecolortotheirclaimandestoppingyourowndefense。AndGad，sir，you’remakingaprecedentforthissortofthing！youareofferingapremiumtowidowsandorphans。Agentlemanwon’tbeabletoexchangeshotswithanotherwithoutmakinghimselfliablefordamages。Iamwillingtoadmitthatyourfeelings——though，inmyopinion——er——
exaggerated——doyoucredit；butIamsatisfiedthattheyareutterlymisunderstood——sir。\"
\"Notbyallofthem，\"saidCorbindarkly。
\"Eh？\"returnedtheColonelquickly。
\"TherewasanotherletterherewhichIdidn’tparticularlypointouttoyou，\"saidCorbin，takingupthelettersagain，\"forI
reckoneditwasn’tevidence，sotospeak，beingfromHISCOUSIN，agirl，——andcalculatedyou’dreaditwhenIwasout。\"
TheColonelcoughedhastily。\"Iwasinfact——er——justabouttoglanceoveritwhenyoucamein。\"
\"Itwaswritten，\"continuedCorbin，selectingalettermorebethumbedthantheothers，\"aftertheoldwomanhadthreatenedme。
Thishereyoungwomanallowsthatsheissorrythatheraunthastotakemoneyofmeonaccountofhercousinbeingkilled，andsheisstillsorrierthatsheissobitteragainstme。Shesaysshehadn’tseenhercousinsincehewasaboy，andusedtoplaywithher，andthatshefindsithardtobelievethatheshouldevergrowuptochangehisnameandactsoastoprovokeanybodytoliftahandagainsthim。ShesaysshesupposeditmustbesomethinginthatdreadfulCaliforniathatalterspeopleandmakeseverybodysoreckless。Ireckonherhead’slevelthere，ain’tit？\"
Therewassuchasuddenandunexpectedlighteningoftheman’sfaceashesaidit，suchamomentaryrelieftohispersistentgloom，thattheColonel，albeitinwardlydissentingfrombothletterandcomment，smiledcondescendingly。
\"She’snoslouchofascribeneither，\"continuedCorbinanimatedly。
\"Readthat。\"
Hehandedhiscompaniontheletter，pointingtoapassagewithhisfinger。TheColoneltookitwith，Ifear，asomewhatloweredopinionofhisclient，andanewtheoryofthecase。Itwasevidentthatthisweaksubmissiontotheaunt’sconspiracywasonlytheresultofagreaterweaknessfortheniece。ColonelStarbottlehadawholesomedistrustofthesexasabusinessorpoliticalfactor。Hebegantolookovertheletter，butwasevidentlyslurringitwithsuperficialpoliteness，whenCorbinsaid：——
\"Readitoutloud。\"
TheColonelslightlyliftedhisshoulders，fortifiedhimselfwithanothersipofthejulep，and，leaningback，oratoricallybegantoread，——thestrangerleaningoverhimandfollowinglinebylinewithshiningeyes。
\"’WhenIsayIamsorryforyou，itisbecauseIthinkitmustbedreadfulforyoutobegoingroundwiththebloodofafellow-
creatureonyourhands。ItmustbeawfulforyouinthestillnessofthenightseasontohearthevoiceoftheLordsaying，\"Cain，whereisthybrother？\"andyousaying，\"Lord，Ihaveslayedhimdead。\"Itmustbeawfulforyouwhentheprideofyourwrathwassurfitted，andhisdumsenselesscorpswasbeforeyou，nottoknowthatitiswritten，\"Vengeanceismine，Iwillrepay，\"saiththeLord……Itwasnouseforyoutosay，\"Ineverheardthatbefore，\"rememberingyourteacherandparents。YetverilyIsayuntoyou，\"Thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet，theyshallbewashedwhiterthansnow，\"saiththeLord——Isaiahi。18；and\"HearthathnosorrowthatHeavencannotheal。\"——Myhymnbook，1stPresbyterianChurch，page79。Mr。Corbin，Ipityyourfeelinsatthegraveofmyporedearcousin，knowingheisbeforehisMaker，andyoucan’tbringhimback。’Umph！——er——er——verygood——verygoodindeed，\"saidtheColonel，hastilyrefoldingtheletter。\"Verywellmeaningand——
er\"——
\"Goon，\"saidCorbinoverhisshoulder，\"youhaven’treadall。\"
\"Ah，true。IperceiveIoverlookedsomething。Um——um。’MayGodforgiveyou，Mr。Corbin，asIdo，andmakeauntythinkbetterofyou，foritwasgoodwhatyoutriedtodoforherandthefammely，andI’vealwayssaiditwhenshewasragingroundandwantingmoneyofyou。Idon’tbelieveyoumeanttodoitanyway，owin’toyourkindnessofhearttotheophanlessandthewidowsinceyoudidit。
Anserthisletter，anddon’tmindwhatauntysays。Sonomoreatpresentfrom——Yoursveryrespectfully，SALLYDOWS。
\"’P。S。——There’sbeensometroubelinourtownship，andsomefitin’。MaytheLordchangetherheartsandmakethemasalittlechild，forifyouarestillyoungyoumaygrowupdifferent。I
havewritashortprayerforyoutosayeverynight。Youcancoppyitoutandputitattheheadofyourbed。Itisthis：OLordmakemesorryforhavingkilledSarahDows’cousin。Giveme，OLord，thatpeacethattheworldcannotgive，andwhichfadethnotaway；
formyyokeisheavy，andmyburdenisharderthanIcanbear。’\"
TheColonel’sdeliberatevoicestopped。Therewasasilenceintheroom，andtheairseemedstifling。Theclickofthebilliardballscamedistinctlythroughthepartitionfromtheotherroom。Thentherewasanotherclick，astamponthefloor，andavoicecryingcoarsely：\"Curseitall——missedagain！\"
Tothestranger’sastonishment，theColonelwasonhisfeetinaninstant，gaspingwithinarticulaterage。Flingingthedooropen，heconfrontedthestartledbar-keeperempurpledandstertorous。
\"Blankitall，sir，doyoucallthisasaloonforgentlemen，oracorralforswearingcattle？Ordoyoumeantosaythattheconversationoftwogentlemenupondelicateprofessional——and——er——
domesticaffairs——istobebrokenuponbytheblankprofanityoflow-bredhoundsovertheirpicayunegambling！Takethemmykyard，sir，\"chokedtheColonel，whowasalwaysSouthernanddialecticinhisexcitedasinhissoftestmoments，\"andtellthemthatColonelStarbottlewillnevahdyarkenthesedoahsagain。\"
Beforetheastonishedbar-keepercouldreply，theColonelhaddashedbackintotheroom，clappedhishatonhishead，andseizedhisbook，letters，andcane。\"Mr。Corbin，\"hesaidwithgaspingdignity，\"Iwilltakethesepapahs，andconsultthemagaininmyownoffice——where，ifyouwilldomethehonor，sir，tocallatteno’clockto-morrow，Iwillgiveyoumyopinion。\"Hestrodeoutofthesaloonbesidethehalfawe-stricken，half-amused，yetalldiscreetlysilentloungers，followedbyhiswonderingbutgloomyclient。Atthedoortheyparted，——theColoneltiptoeingtowardshisofficeasifdancingwithrage，thestrangerdarklyploddingthroughthestiflingdustintheoppositedirection，withwhatmighthavebeenafaintsuggestiontohiscounselor，thatthepathsofthehomicidedidnotliebesidethestillcoolwaters。
CHAPTERII。
ThehouseofCaptainMastertonDows，atPineville，Kentucky，wasafinespecimenofSouthernclassicalarchitecture，beinganexactcopyofMajorFauquier’shouseinVirginia，whichwasinturnonlyaslightvariationfromawell-knownstatesman’shistoricalvillainAlabama，thateverybodyknewwasdesignedfromafamousGreektempleonthePiraeus。NotbutthatitsharedthisresemblancewiththeCountyCourtHouseandtheOddFellows’Hall，buttheadditionoftrainingjessamineandCherokeerosetothecolumnsoftheportico，andoverthecolonnadeleadingtoitsoffices，showedacertaindomesticdistinction。Andtheskylineofitsincongruouslyhighroofwaspleasantlybrokenagainstadjacentgreenpines，butternut，anddarkercypress。
Anearerapproachshowedthestuccoedgateposts——whoseredbrickcorewasrevealedthroughthedroppingplaster——openinginawallofhalf-roughstone，half-woodenpalisade，equallycoveredwithshiningmossandparasiticalvines，whichhidatangledgardenlefttoitsownunkemptluxuriance。Yettherewasareminiscenceofpastformalityandevenpretentiousnessinawidebox-borderedterraceandoneortwostuccoedvasesprematurelywornandtime-
stained；whileseveralrareexoticshad，however，thrivensounwiselyandwellinthatstimulatingsoilastolosetheirexclusiverefinementandacquireacertaintemporaryvulgarity。A
few，withthenotuncommonenthusiasmofaliens，hadadoptedcertainnativepeculiaritieswithazealthatfarexceededanyindigenousperformance。Butdominantthroughallwasthecontinualsuggestionofprecociousfruitionandprematuredecaythatlingeredlikeasadperfumeinthegarden，butmadeitselfpersistentiflesspoeticalinthehouse。
Heretheflutedwoodencolumnsoftheporticoandcolonnadeseemedtohavetakenuponthemselvesasoddenandunwholesomeageunknowntostoneandmortar。Mossandcreeperclungtopaintthattimehadneitherdriednormellowed，butleftstillglairyinitswhiteconsistency。Therewererustyredblotchesaroundinflamednail-
holesintheswollenwood，asofpuncturesinlivingflesh；alongtheentablatureandcornicesandinthedankguttersdecayhadtakentheformofamilddeliquescence；andthepillarswerespottedasifNaturehaddroppedoverthetooearlyruinafewuncleantears。Thehouseitselfwaslifteduponabroadwoodenfoundationpaintedtoimitatemarblewithsuchhopelessmendacitythatthearchitectatthelastmomenthadaddedagreenborder，andtheownerpermittedafallenboardtoremainoffsoastoallowafewprivilegedfowlstoopenlyexploretheinterior。WhenMissSallyDowsplayedthepianointhedrawing-roomshewasattimesaccompaniedbytheupliftedvoiceofthesympathetichoundswhosoughtitsquietretreatinill-healthorlowspirits，andfromwhomshewasseparatedonlybyanimperfectlycarpetedfloorofyawningseams。Theinfantprogenyof\"MammyJudy，\"anoldnurse，madethisahiding-placefromdomesticjustice，wheretheywereeventuallybetrayedbysubterraneangigglingthathadonceortwicebroughtbashfulconfusiontotheheartsofMissSally’sadmirers，andmischievoussecuritytothatfinishedcoquetteherself。
ItwasapleasantSeptemberafternoon，onpossiblyoneoftheseoccasions，thatMissSally，sittingbeforethepiano，alternatelystrikingafewnoteswiththreepinkfingersandglancingatherreflectioninthepolishedrosewoodsurfaceoftheliftedkeyboardcase，washeardtoutterthislanguidprotest：——
\"Quitthatkindoftalk，Chet，unlessyoujustadmiretohaveeverywordofitrepeatedalloverthecounty。ThoselittleniggersofMammyJudy’sarelyingroundsomewhereandaremighty’cute，andsassy，Itellyou。It’snothin’toME，sure，butMissHildamightn’tliketohearofit。Sosoonafteryourparticularattentiontoheratlastnight’spawtytoo。\"
Hereafresh-lookingyoungfellowofsix-and-twenty，leaninguneasilyoverthepianofromtheoppositeside，washeardtomurmurthathedidn’tcarewhatMissHildaheard，northewholeworld，forthematterofthat。\"But，\"headded，withafaintsmile，\"folksallowthatyouknowhowtoPLAYUPsometimes，andputontheloudpedal，whenyoudon’twantMammy’sniggerstohear。\"
\"Indeed，\"saidtheyoungladydemurely。\"Likethis？\"
Sheputoutadistractinglittlefoot，clothedinthewhitestockingandcoolblackprunellaslipperthenderigueurintheState，and，pressingitonthepedal，begantodrumvigorouslyonthekeys。InvaintheamorousChetprotestedinavoicewhichtheinstrumentdrowned。Perceivingwhichtheartfulyoungladyopenedherblueeyesmildlyandsaid：——
\"IreckonitISso；itDOESkindofpreventyouhearingwhatyoudon’twanttohear。\"
\"YouknowwellenoughwhatImean，\"saidtheyouthgloomily。\"Andthatain’tallthatfolkssay。Theyallowthatyou’redoin’aheaptoomuchcorrespondencewiththatCalifornianroughthatkilledTomJeffcourtoverthere。\"
\"Dothey？\"saidtheyounglady，withaslightcurlofherprettylip。\"Thenperhapstheyallowthatifitwasn’tformehewouldn’tbesendingahundreddollarsamonthtoAuntMartha？\"
\"Yes，\"saidthefatuousyouth；\"buttheyallowhekilledTomforhismoney。Andtheydosayit’smightyqueerdoin’sinyo’writin’
religiousletterstohim，andTomyourowncousin。\"
\"Oh，theytellthoseliesHERE，dothey？Butdotheysayanythingabouthow，whenthesameliesweretoldoverinCalifornia，thelawyerthey’vegotoverthere，calledColonelStarbottle，——aSouthernmantoo，——gotupandjustwrotetoAuntMarthathatshe’dbetterquitthataforeshegotprosecuted？Theydidn’ttellyouthat，didthey，MisterChesterBrooks？\"
ButheretheunfortunateBrooks，afterthefashionofalljealouslovers，desertedhisalliesforhisfairenemy。\"Idon’tcottontowhatTHEYsay，Sally，butyouDOwritetohim，andIdon’tseewhatyou’vegottowriteabout——youandhim。JuleJeffcourtsaysthatwhenyougotreligionatLouisvilleduringtherevival，youfeltyouhadacalltowriteandsavesinners，andyoudidthatasyourtrialandprobation，butthatsinceyoubackslidedandareworldlyagain，andgotoparties，youjustkeepitupforfoolin’andflirtin’！SHEain’tgoin’toweakenonthemanthatshotherbrother，justbecausehe’sgotagoldmineand——amustache！\"
\"ShetakeshisMONEYallthesame，\"saidMissSally。
\"SHEdon’t，——hermotherdoes。SHEsaysifshewasamanshe’dhavebloodforblood！\"
\"My！\"saidMissSally，inaffectedconsternation。\"It’sawondershedon’tapplytoyoutoactforher。\"
\"IfitwasMYbrotherhekilled，I’dchallengehimquickenough，\"
saidChet，flushingthroughhisthinpinkskinandlighthair。
\"Marryher，then，andthat’llmakeyouoneofthefamily。IreckonMissHildacanbearit，\"rejoinedtheyoungladypertly。
\"Lookhere，MissSally，\"saidtheyoungfellowwithaboyishdespairthatwasnotwithoutacertainpathosinitsimpliedinferiority，\"Iain’tgiftedlikeyou——Iain’tonyo’levelnohow；
Ican’tpassyo’ontheroad，andsoIreckonImusttakeyo’dustasyo’makeit。Butthereisonething，MissSally，Iwanttotellyou。Youknowwhat’sgoingoninthiscountry，you’veheardyourfathersaywhattheopinionofthebestmenis，andwhat’slikelytohappeniftheYanksforcethatniggerworshiper，Lincoln，ontheSouth。Youknowthatwe’redrawingthelineclosereveryday，andspottin’thementhatain’tsound。Takecare，MissSally，youain’tsellin’uscheaptosomeNorthernAbolitionistwho’dliketosetMarmJudy’slittleniggerstosomethingworsethaneavesdroppingdownthere，andmebbeteach’emtokindleafireunderneathyo’
ownflo’。\"
Hehadbecomequitedialecticinhisappeal，asifyouthfullyrevertingtosomeaccentofthenursery，orasifhewereexhortingherinsomerecognizedshibbolethofasection。MissSallyroseandshutdownthepiano。Thenleaningoveritonherelbows，herroundedlittlechinslightlyelevatedwithlanguidimpertinence，andonesaucyfootkickedbackwardsbeyondthehemofherwhitecottonfrock，shesaid：\"Andletmetellyou，MisterChesterBrooks，thatit’sjustsuchGod-forsaken，infantphenomenonsasyouwhowanttorunthewholecountrythatmakeallthisfuss，whenyouain’tnomorefittobetrustedwithmatchesthanJudy’schildren。
WhatdoYOUknowofMr。JoCorbin，whenyoudon’tevenknowthathe’sfromShelbyville，andasgoodaSuth’nerasyou，andifhehasn’tgotniggersit’sbecausetheydon’tusetheminhisparts？
Yo’rforalltheworldlikeoneo’Mrs。Johnson’sfancybantamsthatain’tquitoftheshellaforetheysquareoffattheirownmother。Mygoodness！Sho！Sho-o-o！\"Andsuitingtheactiontothewordtheyounglady，stillindolently，eveninhersimulation，swirledaround，caughtherskirtsatthesidewitheachhand，andlazilyshakingthembeforeherintheacceptedfemininemethodoffrighteningchickensassheretreatedbackwards，droppedthemsuddenlyinaprofoundcurtseyandsweptoutoftheparlor。
Nevertheless，assheenteredthesitting-roomshepausedtolisten，then，goingtothewindow，peepedthroughtheslitsoftheVenetianblindandsawheryouthfuladmirer，moredejectedintheconsciousnessofhiswastedeffortsanduselessattire，mounthisshowyyounghorse，asaimlesslyspiritedashimself，andrideaway。
MissSallydidnotregretthis；neitherhadshebeenentirelysincereinherdefenseofhermysteriouscorrespondent。But，likemanyofhersex，shewastryingtokeepupbytheactivestimulusofoppositionaninterestthatshehadbeguntothinkiflefttoitselfmightwane。ShewasconsciousthathercousinJulia，althoughimpertinentandillogical，wasrightinconsideringherfirstepistolaryadvancestoCorbinasayouthfulconvert’sreligiouszeal。Butnowthathergirlishenthusiasmwasspent，andtherevivalitselfhadprovedasfleetinganexcitementastheold\"TournamentofLoveandBeauty，\"whichithadsupplanted，shepreferredtobelievethatsheenjoyedthefascinatingimproprietybecauseitwastheactualresultofherreligiousfreedom。PerhapsshehadavagueideathatCorbin’sconversionwouldexpiateherpresentpreferencefordressanddancing。Shehadcertainlyneverflirtedwithhim；theyhadneverexchangedphotographs；therewasnotapassageinhislettersthatmightnothavebeenperusedbyherparents，——which，Ifear，wasprobablyonereasonwhyshehadnevershownhercorrespondence；andbeyondthefactthatthisletter-writinggaveheracertainimportanceinherowneyesandthoseofhercompanions，itmightreallybestopped。Sheeventhoughtofwritingatoncetohimthatherparentsobjectedtoitsfurthercontinuance，butrememberingthathisusualmonthlyletterwasnownearlydue，sheconcludedtowaituntilitcame。
ItistobefearedthatMissSallyhadlittlehelpinthewayoffamilyadvice，andthatthemoraladministrationoftheDowshouseholdwasasprematurelydevelopedandasprecociouslyexhaustedastheestateandmansionthemselves。CaptainDows’
marriagewithJosephineJeffcourt，thedaughterofa\"poorwhite，\"
hadbeenconsideredamesalliancebyhisfamily，andhisownsister，MirandaDows，hadabandonedherbrother’sroofandrefusedtoassociatewiththeJeffcourts，onlyreturningtothehouseandanarmedneutralityatthedeathofMrs。Dowsafewyearslater。
ShehadtakenchargeofMissSally，sendinghertoschoolatNashvilleuntilshewasrecalledbyherfathertwoyearsago。ItmaybeimaginedthatMissSally’scorrespondencewithJeffcourt’smurdererhadaffordedheramixedsatisfaction；itwasatfirstassertedthatMissSally’sforgivenesswasreallypromptedby\"MissMirandy，\"asasubtlesarcasmuponthefamily。When，however，thatforgivenessseemedtobecomeasourceofrevenuetotheimpoverishedJeffcourts，herChristianinterferencehaddeclined。
Forthisreason，possibly，theyounggirldidnotseekherauntinthebedroom，thedining-room，orthebusiness-room，whereMissMirandafrequentlyassistedCaptainDowsinthefatuousandprejudicedmismanagementofthehouseandproperty，norinanyofthevacantguest-rooms，which，intheirearlywreckoflatter-daymahoganyandrosewood，seemedtohavebeenunoccupiedforages，butwentdirectlytoherownroom。Thiswasinthe\"L，\"alatelyaddedwingthathadescapedthegloomyarchitecturaltyrannyofthemainbuilding，andgaveMissSallylight，ventilation，thefreshnessandspiceofnewpineboardsandcleanpaper，andaseparateentranceandwindowsonacoolverandaalltoherself。Intendedasaconcessiontotheyounglady’straveledtaste，itwasreallyareversiontothefinersimplicityofthepioneer。
Newastheapartmentappearedtobe，itwasoldenoughtocontainthebrieflittlerecordsofhermaidenhood：thechildishsamplersandpictures；thesportingepochwithitsfox-heads，opossumandwild-catskins，riding-whip，andthegoshawkinacage，whichMissSallybelievedcouldbetrainedasafalcon；thereligiousintervalofillustratedtexts，\"RockofAges，\"cardboardcrosses，andthecertificateofhermembershipwith\"TheDaughtersofSion\"attheheadofherlittlebed，downtothelastdecadenceoffrivolityshowninthebe-ribbonedguitarinthecorner，andthedancecards，favors，androsettes，militarybuttons，driedbouquets，andotherlovegagesonthemantelpiece。
Theyounggirlopenedadrawerofhertableandtookoutasmallpacketofletterstiedupwithagreenribbon。Asshedidsosheheardthesoundofhoofsintherearcourtyard。Thiswaspresentlyfollowedbyastepontheveranda，andsheopenedthedoortoherfatherwiththelettersstillinherhand。Therewasneithertheleastembarrassmentnorself-consciousnessinhermanner。
CaptainDows，superficiallyremarkableonlyforacertainoddcombinationofhighmilitarystockandturned-overplanter’scollar，wasslightlyexaltedbyasympatheticminglingofpoliticsandmintjulepatPinevilleCourtHouse。\"Iwaspassingbythepost-officeattheCrossRoadslastweek，dear，\"hebegan，cheerfully，\"andIthoughtofyou，andreckoneditwasabouttimethatmyPussygotoneofherlettersfromherrichCalifornianfriend——andsureenoughtherewasone。Icleanforgottogiveittoyouthen，andonlyremembereditpassingthereto-day。Ididn’tgettoseeiftherewasanygold-dustinit，\"hecontinued，withgreatarchness，andafatherlypinchofhercheek；\"thoughI
suspectthatisn’tthekindofcurrencyhesendstoyou。\"
\"ItISfromMr。Corbin，\"saidMissSally，takingitwithalanguidkindofdoubt；\"andonlynow，paw，IwasjustthinkingthatI’dsortofdropwritinganymore；itmakesagooddealofbuzzingamongsttheneighbors，andIdon’tseemuchhoneynorcombinit。\"
\"Eh，\"saidtheCaptain，apparentlymoreastonishedthandelightedathisdaughter’sprudence。\"Well，child，suityourself！It’smightymean，though，forIwasjustthinkingoftellingyouthatJudgeReadisanoldfriendofthisColonelStarbottle，whoisyourfriend’sfriendandlawyer，andhesaysthatColonelStarbottleisWITHUS，andworkingforthecauseoutthere，andhasgotalistofalltheSo’thernmeninCaliforniathataresoundandsolidfortheSouth。Readsaysheshouldn’twonderifhe’dmakeCaliforniawheelintolinetoo。\"
\"Idon’tseewhatthat’sgottodowithMr。Corbin，\"saidtheyounggirl，impatiently，flickingthestillunopenedletteragainstthepacketinherhand。
\"Well，\"saidtheCaptain，withcheerfulvagueness，\"Ithoughtitmightinterestyou，——that’sall，\"andloungedjudiciallyaway。
\"Pawthinks，\"saidMissSally，stillstandinginthedoorway，ostentatiouslyaddressingherpetgoshawk，butwithoneeyefollowingherretreatingparent，\"Pawthinksthateverybodyisaskeenbentonpoliticsasheis。There’swherepawslipsup，Jim。\"
Re-enteringtheroom，scratchingherlittlenosethoughtfullywiththeedgeofMr。Corbin’sletter，shewenttothemantelpieceandpickedupasmallivory-handleddagger，thegiftofJoyceMasterton，agedeighteen，presentedwithcertainversesaddressedtoa\"DaughteroftheSouth，\"andcutopentheenvelope。Thefirstglancewasatherownname，andthenatthesignature。Therewasnochangeintheformality；itwas\"DearMissSarah，\"and\"Yoursrespectfully，JoCorbin，\"asusual。Shewasstillsecure。Butherprettybrowscontractedslightlyasshereadasfollows：——
\"I’vealwaysallowedIshouldfeeleasierinmymindifIcouldevergettoseeMrs。Jeffcourt，andthatmaybeshemightfeeleasierinhersifIstoodbeforeher，facetoface。Evenifshedidn’tforgivemeatonce，itmightdohergoodtogetoffwhatshehadonhermindagainstme。Butastherewasn’tanychanceofhercomingtome，anditwasoutofthequestionmycomingtoherandstillkeepingupenoughworkintheminestosendhertheregularmoney，itcouldn’tbedone。ButatlastI’vegotapartnertorunthemachinewhenI’maway。IshallbeatShelbyvillebythetimethisreachesyou，whereIshallstayadayortwotogiveyoutimetobreakthenewstoMrs。Jeffcourt，andthencomeon。YouwilldothisformeinyourChristiankindness，MissDows——won’tyou？andifyoucouldsoftenhermindsoastomakeitlesshardformeI
shallbegrateful。
\"P。S。——IforgottosayIhavehadHIMexhumed——youknowwhoI
mean——andambringinghimwithmeinapatentmetallicburialcasket，——thebestthatcouldbegotin’Frisco，andwillseethatheisproperlyburiedinyourowngraveyard。ItseemedtomethatitwouldbethebestthingIcoulddo，andmightworkuponherfeelings——asithasonmine。Don’tyou？
\"J。C。\"
MissSallyfeltthetendrilsofherfairhairstirwithconsternation。Theletterhadarrivedaweekago；perhapshewasinPinevilleatthatverymoment！ShemustgoatoncetotheJeffcourts，——itwasonlyamiledistant。Perhapsshemightbestillintime；buteventhenitwasaterriblyshortnoticeforsuchameeting。Yetshestoppedtoselecthernewesthatfromthecloset，andtotieitwiththelargestofbowsunderherprettychin；andthenskippedfromtheverandaintoagreenlanethatranbesidethegardenboundary。There，hiddenbyahedge，shedroppedintoalong，swingingtrot，thateveninherhastestillkeptthelanguiddeliberationcharacteristicofherpeople，untilshehadreachedtheroad。Twoorthreehoundsinthegardenstartedjoyouslytofollowher，butshedrovethembackwithaportentousfrown，andanill-aimedstone，andasuppressedvoice。YetinthatbackwardglanceshecouldseethatherlittleEumenides——MammyJudy’schildren——werepeeringatherfrombelowthewoodenflooroftheportico，whichtheyweregraspingwithoutstretchedarmsandbowedshoulders，asiftheywereblackcaryatidessupporting——asindeedtheirracehaddoneformanyayear——thepre-doomedanddecayingmansionoftheirmaster。
CHAPTERIII。
HappilyMissSallythoughtmoreofherpresentmissionthanofthepasterrorsofherpeople。Thefastershewalkedthemorevividlyshepicturedthepossiblecomplicationsofthismeeting。Sheknewthedull，meannatureofheraunt，andtheutterhopelessnessofallappealtoanythingbutherselfishcupidity，andsawinthisfatuousessayofCorbinonlyanaggravationofherworstinstincts。
Eventhedeadbodyofhersonwouldnotonlywhetherappetiteforpecuniaryvengeance，butgiveitplausibilityintheeyesoftheiremotionalbutignorantneighbors。ShehadstilllesstohopefromJuliaJeffcourt’smorehonestandhumanindignationbutequallybigotedandprejudicedintelligence。Itistruetheywereonlywomen，andsheoughttohavenofearofthatphysicalrevengewhichJuliahadspokenof，butshereflectedthatMissJeffcourt’sunmistakablebeauty，andwhatwasbelievedtobea\"trulySouthernspirit，\"hadgainedhermanyadmirerswhomighteasilytakeherwrongsupontheirshoulders。Ifherfatherhadonlygivenherthatletterbefore，shemighthavestoppedCorbin’scomingatall；shemightevenhavemethimintimetohurryhimandhercousin’sprovocativeremainsoutofthecountry。Inthemidstofthesereflectionsshehadtopassthelittlehillsidecemetery。Itwasaspotofgreatnaturalbeauty，cypress-shadowedandluxuriant。ItwasjustlycelebratedinPineville，and，butforitspretentioustombstones，mighthavebeenpeacefulandsuggestive。Heresherecognizedafigurejustturningfromitsgate。ItwasJuliaJeffcourt。
Herfirstinstinct——thatshewastoolateandthathercousinhadcometothecemeterytomakesomearrangementsfortheimpendingburial——was，however，quicklydissipatedbytheyounggirl’smanner。
\"Well，SallyDows，YOUhere！who’dhavethoughtofseeingyouto-
day？Why，ChetBrooksallowedthatyoudancedeverysetlastnightanddidn’tgethometilldaylight。Andyou——youthataregoingtoshowupatanotherpartyto-nighttoo！Well，IreckonIhaven’tgotthatmuchambitionthesetimes。Andoutwithyournewbonnettoo。\"
Therewasaslightcurlofherhandsomelipasshelookedathercousin。ShewascertainlyamorebeautifulgirlthanMissSally；
verytall，darkandluminousofeye，withabrunettepallorofcomplexion，suggesting，itwassaid，thatremotemixtureofbloodwhichwasoneoftheunprovencountsofMissMiranda’sindictmentagainstherfamily。MissSallysmiledsweetlybehindherbigbow。
\"IfyoureckontotietoeverythingthatChetBrookssays，you’llwantlotsofstring，andyouwon’tbesafethen。Yououghttohaveheardhimrunonaboutthisone，andthatone，andthatotherone，notanhouragoinourparlor。Ihadtopackhimoff，sayinghewasevenmakingJudy’sniggerstired。\"Shestoppedandaddedwithpolitelanguor，\"Isupposethere’snonewsupatyo’houseeither？
Everything’sgoingonasusual——and——yougetyo’Californiadraftregularly？\"
AgooddealofthewhiteofJulia’sbeautifuleyesshowedassheturnedindignantlyonthespeaker。\"Iwish，cousinSally，you’djustletuptalkingtomeaboutthatmoney。YouknowaswellasI
dothatIallowedtomawIwouldn’ttakeacentofitfromthefirst！Imighthavehadallthegownsandbonnets\"——withalookatMissSally’sbows——\"Iwantedfromher；sheevenofferedtotakemetoSt。Louisforarig-out——ifI’dbeenwillingtotakebloodmoney。ButI’drathersticktothisoldsleazymou’nin’forTom\"——
shegaveadramaticpluckatherfadedblackskirt——\"thanflauntroundinwhitemuslinsandChinasilksattendollarsayard，paidforbyhismurderer。\"
\"Youknowblack’syo’coloralways，——takinginyourheightandcomplexion，Jule，\"saidMissSallydemurely，yetnotwithoutafeminineconsciousnessthatitreallydidsetoffhercousin’sgracefulfiguretoperfection。\"Butyoucan’tkeepupthisgaitalways。YouknowsomedayyoumightcomeuponthisMr。Corbin。\"
\"He’dbetternotcrossmypath，\"shesaidpassionately。
\"I’veheardgirlstalklikethataboutamanandthengetjustgreenandyellowafterhim，\"saidMissSallycritically。\"Butgoodnessme！speakingofmeetingpeopleremindsmeIcleanforgottostopatthestageofficeandseeaboutbringingoverthenewoverseer。LuckyImetyou，Jule！Good-by，dear。Comeinto-
night，andwe’llallgotothepartytogether。\"AndwithalittlenodsheranoffbeforeherindignantcousincouldframeasuitablycrushingreplytoherParthianinsinuation。
ButatthestageofficeMissSallyonlywroteafewlinesonacard，putitinanenvelope，whichsheaddressedtoMr。JosephCorbin，andthenseatingherselfwitheasycarelessnessonalongpacking-box，languidlysummonedtheproprietor。
\"You’realwaysonhandyourselfatKirbystationwhenthekyarscomeintobringpassengerstoPineville，Mr。Sledge？\"
\"Yes，Miss。\"
\"Yo’haven’tbroughtanystrangersoverlately？\"
\"Well，lastweekSquireFarnhamofGreenRidge——ifhekinbecalledastranger——asusedtoliveintheveryhouseyofather\"——
\"Yes，Iknow，\"saidMissSally，impatiently，\"butifanENTIRE
strangercomestotakeaseatforPineville，youaskhimifthat’shisname，\"handingtheletter，\"andgiveittohimifitis。And——
Mr。Sledge——it’snobody’sbusinessbut——yoursandmine。\"
\"Iunderstand，MissSally，\"withaslow，paternal，toleratingwink。